Nicky Forster grabbed his 50th goal for Reading last night and helped end Cardiff City's 14-year hold over the club.

Royals' 2-1 victory at Madejski Stadium was the first time they had beaten the Bluebirds in the league since goals from Michael Gilkes, Steve Moran and Trevor Senior clinched a 3-1 win at Elm Park in February 1989.

The hoodoo looked as though it would strike again after Peter Thorne fired the Welsh side into a 13th-minute lead.

But Forster levelled just after the hour with his first league goal of the season and Steve Sidwell completed the fightback with a stunning effort 11 minutes from time.

The last time Royals had secured a victory after falling behind was back in February against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

And caretaker boss Kevin Dillon said: "We showed great character. We got a bit stretched at the end but I thought we deserved the victory.

"We just tried too hard in the first half. But we took the game to them in the second half and it is a good result for me and the team.

"It was a very important game for us as we are now back in the top six, two points off Wigan. We are in touch and I think the league will be a lot tighter this year. I can't see a Leicester or Portsmouth coming out of the pack."

Forster, who started the recovery with a neat first-time shot, said: "Dill said to me on Monday to just relax because I have been getting frustrated with my performances.

"I didn't play very well against West Ham, the Rotherham game wasn't great and, although we dominated against Wimbledon, I still could have done better.

"But overall I was happy with the way I played last night. It was important that we won after Saturday's defeat. They were big blows - the manager leaving and then losing to West Ham."

As well as netting Royals' equaliser, Forster also set up the winner for Sidwell.

Fozzy said: "I took a touch and Murts was screaming for it, but I saw Sid in oceans of space and he scored a great goal.

"I've got to say he was fantastic last night. I thought he absolutely dominated in his role in there."